The Ultimate Guide to Los Angeles’ Nightlife
Los Angeles has one of the most diverse and lively nightlife scenes in the world. Whether you’re looking for a place to party until the early hours of the morning or just want to enjoy a relaxing evening out with friends or family, there’s something for everyone in this city!
I’ve been living in Los Angeles for quite some years. I first lived in Redondo Beach for six months in 2019. I loved LA so much that my husband and I moved back in 2020 and never looked back!
We’ve lived in multiple locations throughout the city, from the Beach Towns to South Bay and now Downtown Los Angeles. So, believe me when I say if you’re looking to party- you’ve come to the right place!
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In this guide, I’ll show you all the best places to go for a night out on the town. There’s something in Los Angeles for all to enjoy, from trendy nightclubs and dance clubs, fancy bars, fine dining, and epic skyline views. So put on your party clothes and get ready for an unforgettable night!
Summary
Where to Stay for the Best L.A. Nightlife:
If you’re looking for some of the best nightlife in town, you’ll need to know where to stay. Some of the best areas of Los Angeles to stay for a fantastic night are listed here.
Downtown LA
Hotel Indigo Los Angeles Downtown. At Hotel Indigo in DTLA, you’ll be in the heart of the city. With convenient access to entertainment, nightclubs, fine dining, and even the iconic LA Live complex. The hotel is decorated with neon lights that mirror LA’s world-famous nightlife. You can book your stay here.
InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown. The InterContinental is a world-famous downtown L.A. hotel providing luxury travel for over 70 years. This hotel has iconic style, an alluring spa, and is right in the heart of vibrant city life. You can book your stay here.
Hollywood
Dream Hollywood. This hotel offers a rooftop pool and sun terrace, with incredible views of the Hollywood sign. It’s located in the heart of Hollywood and is just over five miles from downtown. You can book your stay here.
W Hollywood. Just a two-minute walk from the Hollywood Walk of Fame, this hotel is in the center of many hip bars and nightclubs in Hollywood. You can book your stay here.
Koreatown
The LINE LA. This hotel is located in the center of Los Angeles, between Hollywood & Downtown, with Hollywood Hills views, a vibrant pool scene, rooftop dining, and two nightlife venues! You can book your stay here.
Venice
Hotel Erwin. This hotel is just steps away from the sand and includes a high rooftop lounge with gorgeous beach views. You can book your stay here.
Santa Monica
Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows. Fairmont Miramar is a luxury hotel experience with a relaxing spa and fitness club, elegant rooms overlooking the Pacific, and is located right in the heart of Santa Monica’s vibrant nightlife. You can book your stay here.
Huntley Santa Monica Beach. This beach hotel is home to a rooftop restaurant, The Penthouse. It’s also just steps away from this beach town’s hopping nightlife. You can book your stay here.
Dance at One of the Many Nightclubs in Los Angeles
Los Angeles sets the bar high for world-class nightlife with extravagant spaces, trendy themes, and vibrant décor.
Venues frequently book the top DJs, headliners, and up-and-coming artists to wow party-lovers each night. Some of the best nightclubs in Los Angeles for some exciting drinking and dancing include:
Exchange
A lively techno & EDM club in the city’s historic old stock exchange building. This club displays 1920s-inspired Art Déco throughout its festival-level staging.
Playhouse Nightclub
Interested in more hip hop & R&B beats? Be sure to check out the Playhouse Nightclub on Hollywood Boulevard. There’s also a mix of reggaeton, Latin American, and hip-hop classics!
Crocker Club
This is a swanky club featuring a 1920s bank theme, specialty cocktails, private booths, a dance floor & the city’s top-performing DJs. This nightclub is open on Thursday and Friday nights until 2 AM and Saturday nights until 12 AM.
Sound
Sound is an iconic undergrown nightclub in Hollywood that features techno and deep house music. This club is open from Thursday to Saturday, 10 PM-3 AM, and 9 PM-2 AM on Tuesdays.
The Mayan
The Mayan Theater is a club in Downtown LA featuring electronic dance music and even world-famous DJs from time to time.
Avalon Hollywood
Located on Vine Street near Hollywood Boulevard, Avalon has a long and storied history in the neighborhood. It has now become a LA’s finest concert venue and dance club!
Grab a Drink in a Cocktail Lounge
If you’re looking for a more chill evening or a good place to buy a drink, Los Angeles has a great mix of bars and cocktail lounges. Some of my favorites include:
Pattern Bar
In the heart of DTLA’s Fashion District is Pattern Bar. Here, the drinks are named after famous designers and vintage sewing machines! This bar is open every day (except Mondays) and sometimes features a live DJ.
Death & Co.
If you’re in the Arts District in LA’s downtown area, be sure to check out the speakeasy Death & Co. The food and drinks are simple yet elegant and delicious.
Library Bar
Located on 6th street in DTLA, Library Bar features handcrafted cocktails and gastropub bites. You’ll feel nice and cozy as the bar’s setting has comfy leather couches and walls lined with books.
Far Bar
Located in Little Tokyo, Far Bar is a chill gastropub with American-Asian fusion like burgers and sushi and a lovely assortment of beers and cocktails.
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Melody Lounge
A popular cocktail bar in DTLA’s Chinatown featuring beautiful Chinese lanterns and craft beers & cocktails.
The Well
A more mellow cocktail spot on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood. Features an extended happy hour menu and a bumpin’ jukebox.
The Varnish
This genuine speakeasy is worth the wait. Check out the handcrafted menu as they make some authentic quality cocktails. The bartenders are passionate about pouring a proper drink. The ambiance is one of a kind, and the drinks are memorable!
Enjoy the City’s Skyline on a Rooftop Terrace
If you’re looking for the best places in town to see the iconic LA skyline at night, visit these top rooftop terraces.
High Rooftop Lounge (Venice Beach)
There is an open-air terrace with DJs at night, specialty cocktails, light bites & iconic city and boardwalk views.
Nixo Patio Lounge (Downtown LA)
This is a modern venue at the E-Central Hotel. It’s open to the public and has a lovely terrace overlooking the city, plus light bites and cocktails.
71Above (Downtown LA)
A luxurious dining experience on the 71st floor of the US Bank Tower in the heart of downtown. Here, you’ll find high-end modern cuisine, specialty cocktails, and panoramic views of the city.
Spire 73 (Downtown LA)
This is an open-air bar and restaurant on the 73rd floor of the InterContinental hotel downtown. If you’ve seen any movies or TV shows of the “Pepsi” building in Los Angeles, this is the place!
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Grab a Beer at a Local Brewery
Are you looking for a more chill spot to kick back a beer or watch the game? Head to one of LA’s many popular breweries.
Angel City Brewery (Downtown LA)
One of the first breweries to emerge in the Arts District!
Arts District Brewing Company (Downtown LA)
My favorite breweries in Los Angeles include Angel City Brewery and Arts District Brewing Company. Here you can sip on a beer with your friends, watch the game on one of the many big-screen TVs, and even play cornhole and ax throwing!
Visit a Comedy Club
Laugh Factory (Hollywood)
A well-established comedy club for both seasoned and emerging stand-up performances. Even features surprise celebrity guests!
Hollywood Improv (Hollywood)
A world-renowned comedy club. This place also offers a unique dining experience!
The Comedy & Magic Club (Hermosa Beach)
This is the place to be if you love all things comedy and magic! This is an intimate setting where you are up close and personal with great comics. The food and drinks are delightful as well and for a reasonable price. Be sure to get your tickets in advance as it gets packed.
Drink & Play Games at an Arcade Bar
Arcade bars are a magical combination of two fun things: drinking and gaming. Also known as barcades, you can find them all over the LA area. If you want to tune into out your inner child while knocking back a few, be sure to check out:
EightyTwo
This is LA’s first modern arcade bar and features over 50 rotating quarter-fueled arcade and pinball machines. This place also has an outside courtyard to pig out on food truck bite staples, and kick back on one of the lounge chairs.
Two Bit Circus
Two Bit Circus is the Arts District arcade hangout. This place is unique in that it combines virtual reality, escape rooms, motion-sensing carnival-esque attractions, old-school arcade games, and trivia, all while serving delicious brews and snazzy cocktails.
Player One
North Hollywood’s Player One Arcade Bar brings the old-school feel of the ’80s and ’90s to life with plenty of retro game cabinets like TRON and Jurassic Park. Come play your hand in one of LA’s largest arcade bars with just over 5,400 square feet for your gaming and drinking pleasure.
XLanes LA
XLanes is located in Little Tokyo and combines arcade games, bowling, and a full sports bar and restaurant.
Go to a Concert or Musical
Head to L.A. Live in the South Park District of Downtown Los Angeles, the GRAMMY Museum, or the El Rey Theatre to catch a live evening show or musical.
LA Beaches with the Best Nightlife
If you’re wanting to stay close to the water, these beach towns are the best in terms of the nightlife. These beaches feature great party vibes including bar hopping, nightclubs, beach bonfires, and more!
Hermosa Beach
Venice Beach
Manhattan Beach
Santa Monica
Long Beach
Free Things to Do in Los Angeles at Night
Not wanting to spend a ton of money? There are plenty of things to do in Los Angeles at night where you’ll never need to pull out your wallet!
Walk the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Head over to Hollywood and stroll down the Walk of Fame, a famous sidewalk area embezzled with stars and celebrity names.
Stroll Through Universal CityWalk
For various nighttime options, check out Universal CityWalk, adjacent to the Universal Studios in Hollywood. You don’t have to buy a ticket to the theme park to visit CityWalk. It’s open to the public!
Check out the barrage of famous nightlife spots with restaurants, old-school movie theaters, shopping, dessert shops (like Voodoo Donuts), indoor skydiving, and even a dueling piano bar. Be sure to stop by Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville for live music and a fun island aesthetic!
See the Stars at Griffith Observatory
Griffith Observatory is an observatory on the slope of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park. You can look through one of the free public telescopes to gaze at the night stars. The Griffith Observatory is open from Friday to Sunday until 10 PM.
Santa Monica Pier
Walk up and down Santa Monica Pier and enjoy this beach town’s brawling nightlife and epic neon lights. The pier is open until midnight, seven days a week.
Have a Beach Bonfire
Did you know that many beaches in Los Angeles have free firepits for public use? There isn’t a much more quintessential California experience than having a bonfire on the beach while watching the sunset over the Pacific Ocean.
